The Cost of Ignoring Empathy at Work

Grief, caregiving, burnout, trauma. These aren’t just personal issues, they’re workplace realities. And yet, too many organizations still treat them as invisible.

On this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, workplace empathy expert Liesel Mindrebo Mertes joins Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski to share why empathy isn't just a soft skill. It's a business imperative.

Liesel is the Founder of Handle with Care and a sought-after keynote speaker who helps companies support their people through life disruptions. She’s also a mother who experienced unthinkable loss, and turned that pain into a movement to bring more humanity into how we work.

Through powerful storytelling and grounded insight, Liesel reminds us that the most effective leaders aren’t the ones who fix everything. They’re the ones who show up.

We All Carry Something

Whether it's grief from losing a loved one, the pressure of being a caregiver, or the quiet toll of burnout, every person brings invisible weight to work. The problem is that most workplaces aren't designed to hold it.

Liesel shared her personal story of loss and how it shaped her mission to change the culture of silence around hardship. Her message is clear: when people feel safe to bring their full selves to work, including their pain—they show up more fully.

Empathy doesn't mean having all the answers. It means acknowledging what’s hard and responding with dignity and care.

Empathy Is Not a Disruption to Productivity

One of the biggest myths Liesel confronts is that empathy slows things down. The truth? Ignoring human reality costs more.

She cited research showing that teams with emotionally intelligent leaders are more resilient, collaborative, and innovative. When people feel seen, they’re more likely to stay engaged and loyal, even in the face of adversity.

Empathy actually increases productivity because it reduces turnover, builds trust, and encourages open communication. It’s not a detour from business success. It’s the way forward.

Systems That Support People in Crisis

One of the most actionable parts of this conversation was Liesel’s advice for operationalizing empathy:

• Create leave policies that reflect real life, not just paperwork

• Offer grief training for managers and teams

• Design workflows that give space for rest and return

• Normalize emotional check-ins and peer support

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being prepared—and making support part of your culture, not just a one-time response.

Key Takeaways

• Unacknowledged pain at work becomes disengagement

• Empathy isn’t about solving someone’s crisis, it’s about staying present

• Leaders who model vulnerability set the tone for culture-wide compassion

• Organizations that plan for life disruptions build deeper trust and loyalty

Final Thoughts

This conversation was a powerful reminder that we don’t have to choose between empathy and excellence. The best companies know that showing care is not charity. It’s strategy.

Liesel Mindrebo Mertes challenges all of us to stop outsourcing compassion. The future of work is human, and that future starts with how we treat each other when things fall apart.

Check out our full conversation with Liesel Mindrebo Mertes on The Bliss Business Podcast.